The No Child Left Behind instructional paraprofessional requirement applies only to paraprofessionals who have instructional duties in a program supported by Title I funds. This includes both Title I targeted assistance programs and schoolwide Title I programs. Preschool paraprofessionals who are housed in schoolwide Title I buildings must meet the requirement.

Noninstructional Paraprofessional

Aides in Title I targeted assistance programs and Title I schoolwide programs who do not have instructional responsibilities do not have to meet the requirements. This includes playground aides, bus aides or cafeteria aides. Other exceptions to the requirement include paraprofessionals who serve as translators for children and paraprofessionals whose sole responsibilities consist of conducting parental involvement activities. Special education aides whose jobs only require them to attend to the students’ health care needs do not have to meet the requirement.

Requirements

Instructional paraprofessionals must meet onlyone of the following requirements:

Complete at least two years of study at an institution of higher education. Two years is defined as 48 semester or 72 quarter hours. The requirement must be verified by original transcripts from an accredited institution of higher education.

Obtain an associate or higher degree from an accredited institution of higher education. This is defined as any associate degree program from an accredited institution of higher education.

Pass Ohio’s Parapro Assessment with a score of 456 or more out of a possible 480.